Nothing More Than a Rumor: The Celtics Should Not and Will Not Trade Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant

The Celtics didn't trade for Kevin Durant over the summer, and the reasons for that haven't changed.

Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Here we go again.

Monday on ESPN's First Take, Stephen A. Smith reignited the rumor from over the summer about the Celtics possibly trading Jaylen Brown to acquire Kevin Durant.

.@stephenasmith says to "keep your eye on" KD to Boston 👀🍿 pic.twitter.com/y0T3wDyM66

— First Take (@FirstTake) February 6, 2023

"I’m hearing he’s on the verge of potentially being moved," stated Smith. "I’m hearing Boston is making some calls; keep your eye on that. Jaylen Brown."

Smith's information is likely coming from the Nets, intending to drive up the price for Durant. Either that, or it's from the former league MVP's camp because he's interested in leaving Brooklyn in the wake of Kyrie Irving joining Luka Doncic in Dallas.

As suddenly as Irving asked out, putting the Nets in this predicament, if they trade Durant, now is the best time to do so. The additional title run his new team would get from acquiring him before the deadline passes at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 9 adds to the price it will take to have one of the greatest scorers of all time help with this year's championship pursuit.

There are no signs of slippage for Durant, who's generating 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while playing at a high level on both ends of the court. However, a deal over the summer means accepting a lower return ahead of his age-35 season.

The added mileage on an individual with an extensive injury history, including tearing his Achilles in 2019, won't help Brooklyn maximize the return for the ten-time All-NBA member either. And that's without entertaining the dreaded possibility of him sustaining an injury before the end of this campaign.

But the Nets are under no obligation to trade Durant. Not now, not over the summer.

And even with Brooklyn getting a 2029 first-round pick from the Mavericks, this author's guess is the Nets continue to reconfigure Durant's supporting cast rather than trading their franchise player this week.

They have the potential to be an excellent defensive team, have a star capable of shouldering a heavy burden offensively, have more shooting than a year ago when the Celtics swept them, and are likely not done dealing.

But if the 13-time All-Star finishes this season elsewhere, it will not be Boston.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Durant is still playing at a superstar level, but the reasons it made more sense for the Celtics not to trade Jaylen Brown for him over the summer haven't changed.

Along with the documented concerns surrounding Durant and the need for him to stay healthy and quickly help produce banner 18, even if his time with the Celtics isn't cut short by injury, Boston would have to try to find a new star to pair with Jayson Tatum in a few years.

Conversely, Brown turned 26 in October, gets better every season, fits perfectly alongside Tatum and recently earned his second All-Star selection.

He might even make an All-NBA Team, and if he does, the Celtics will happily pay the five-year, $273 million veteran supermax extension he'd become eligible to sign. Brown doing so entering this summer would make life easier for Boston since it would remove the financial incentive for him to play out his contract.

At 37-16, the Celtics have the best record in the NBA. Sports Illustrated Sportsbook lists them as the favorite to capture the Larry O'Brien Trophy. And while fans know better than to take a championship window for granted, Paul Pierce thinks Boston already has the NBA's best duo.

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Splitting up Tatum and Brown, who are 24 and 26 years old, respectively, as they enter their primes after going to the NBA Finals last year and led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals in three of their first five seasons together would be a mistake.

Boston's best bet at banner 18 and beyond is keeping these two together as long as possible. Those paid to make these decisions likely feel the same way.

Remember, over the summer, on the heels of Durant and the Nets agreeing to continue their partnership, Brad Stevens expressed the following on WEEI's Jimmy Fund Radiothon.

"Since the Brogdon trade, we felt really good about our team, and we felt really good about building around these guys that we’ve been building around, trying to accentuate our best players."

He added: "We’re excited to move forward with our team, and that’s really been our focus for a while. You say it’s been busy, and there’s been a lot of talk, but it hasn’t been from me. Hopefully, it gave everyone something to talk about; it’s been pretty quiet on our front for a while now."

One might view that as Stevens saying what he's supposed to with Durant staying in Brooklyn. But if the Celtics wanted to trade Brown for him, a deal would've gotten done.

Boston didn't then, and the reasons for that haven't changed.

Further Reading

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Celtics Reportedly Considering Trade For Local Big Man To Improve Center Depth

Instant Reaction to Nets Trading Kyrie Irving to Mavericks, a Missed Opportunity for a Celtics' Rival

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Loss vs. Suns: Ice-Cold Shooting Has Boston Playing from Behind Nearly All Night

1:1 with Paul Pierce on What the Celtics-Lakers Rivalry Means to Him; Jayson Tatum's Growth, His Evaluation of Boston's Season, and More

A Potential Buyout Target and the Celtics are Reportedly Showing Mutual Interest

Celtics Reportedly Interested in Reunion with Kelly Olynyk